Give Kids A Smile offers free dental care to qualifying kids

Friday

Jan 27, 2012 at 3:15 AM

SOMERSWORTH — Give Kids A Smile and dentists across New Hampshire will help kick off this year's National Children's Dental Health month on Friday, February 3, by offering children from low-income families free dental services, including dental examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.

Last year, more than 9,235 dentists and 28,481 volunteers participated in Give Kids A Smile day by providing care to an estimated 396,877 children nationwide. The event, supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), has been held each year since 2003. Here in the Granite State, the New Hampshire Dental Society and the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation are annual supporters of this campaign.

According to the American Dental Association, oral health is closely linked to overall health, and dental disease is the most prevalent childhood disease. Dental disease is also almost completely preventable through regular dental visits, brushing, flossing and access to fluoride.

"While there is still a lot to do, we have seen real progress in getting children better access to dental care in New Hampshire," says Jim Williamson, from the New Hampshire Dental Society.

In most locations, dentists will provide free dental services in cooperation with local schools. The program covers the entire state from the North Country to Nashua.

To learn more about enrolling a child in a Give Kids A Smile clinic, parents should talk to their child's school nurse or dental office as soon as possible.